The Best Walkie Talkies for Kids in 2018

Make your Kids' adventures even more fun

Things have really changed since we were kids. You can agree with me that a while back walkies were not a regular thing, especially for kids. Those were the times when we used the DIY tin can-string models to communicate. But it’s 2018 and the kids are spoilt for choice. Even with the increased use of mobile phones, talkies provide a more fun way for the kids to have fun. You will still be able to check up on them and you are not worried about exposure to the uncontrolled internet world.

Factors to consider before you buy a walkie-talkie

Radio service – Consumer walkie talkies can come either with Family Radio Service (FRS) or General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). The range on GMRS radios is significantly wider than the FRS which makes it more suited for business walkie-talkies. However, some manufacturer’s combine both FRS and GMRS to boost the reception of their radios.

Frequency – The available frequencies for walkie-talkies are Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF). If the intended use for the talkie is wide open spaces then VHF will do. However, if the waves have to penetrate through walls then UHF is best.

Range – This is the maximum distance that two walkie talkies can be apart without losing connection. It’s important to note that the range specified by manufacturers does not factor in obstructions of the waves by objects such as walls and will, therefore, be significantly lesser in the actual sense.

Channels – Walkies can have anywhere from 2-22 channels. More channels allow you to effectively connect without interruptions from other radios within your range that may be operating on the same frequency.

Can different brands of walkie talkies communicate with each other?

Yes. As long as walkie-talkies are using the same frequency and are tuned to the same channel they should be able to communicate. However, for the kid’s walkies this principle may not apply to all the manufacturers. In fact, some do not allow communication between any extra pair of walkies that you purchase.

Can I use these as an adult?

Absolutely. The walkie talkies are more than just a way for the kids to have fun. They can be used to reach you in case there is an emergency or when you want to pass some information to the kids when they are not around you. You will actually get to use the talkies a lot since the kids are always insisting on talking to you through them even when you are next to each other.

Can you use rechargeable batteries on the walkie-talkie?

Actually, we recommend that you use rechargeable batteries. This is because the walkie-talkies drain power at a considerable rate which would have you replacing the batteries numerous times. But you can still opt for the disposable ones.

Putting all these factors into consideration we have compiled a list of 5 walkie talkies that we believe will best suit your kid. But first, let’s explore some of the questions you might have.

This walkie talkie might be branded for kids but its performance is above the toy level. For starters, it features 22 channels on both FRS and GMRS and a range of up to 9000 feet. This means the overall clarity will be more defined even at much larger distances. It also allows a “one to one” and “one to many” communication functions where your kid and their friends can easily communicate on the same channel. The VOX function is another highlight feature that will allow the kids to operate the talkie hands-free. The instructions on how to turn the VOX function on and off are in the user manual. The Retevis RT628 will perfectly fit in your kid’s small hands and at 90 kgs, it should pose no problem in terms of portability. It also comes with a carrier belt that can easily be assembled by the kids. To prove just how much faith they have in the product, the makers of Retevis will give you a 90-day warranty and even better, you can return it for no reason in the first 30 days. The return process is quite simple and convenient.

Best Overall

22 channels of both FRS and GMRS frequency

No volume adjustment button

lightweight

LCD display

90 days guarantee

1,009 Reviews Last Update on 2018-11-19 at 15:24 using Amazon Product Advertising API

If on top of the kids having some fun you want something you can use to keep tabs on them then the RT628 will do. With the exceptionally high range, you can use it to call your kid back home or peek in to know what they are up to. What’s more is that the solid build on this talkie gives it the feeling of a real walkie talkie.

If they call them durable then it’s because they will serve you well. The Kidzlane walkie talkies come in a set of two but communication is not limited to these two. You can buy more sets and still communicate effectively as long as you are on the same frequency. Although these talkies do not have a dedicated volume button, the sound is quite clear and they are receptive to a range of up to 2 miles. The Kidzlane walkie talkie also features 3 separate channels that will be great for secret conversations. They also feature an easy push to talk button that’s pretty basic for kids. To ease the process of carrying them around, the talkies have a clip on the belt holder.

On the downside, some users have complained about these walkie talkies not working right out of the box. However, the Kidzlane customer care is pretty responsive and is set to solve any queries that you might have.

Most easy to use

Durable

Cases of faulty devices

Lightweight

Simple to use

Belt clip

Great sound

992 Reviews Last Update on 2018-11-19 at 15:24 using Amazon Product Advertising API

You will love these talkies for their durability. As is expected with most kids, the walkie-talkies are bound to be mishandled. From dropping them through tripping over them to intentionally smashing them on the walls. But, if there is one talkie that can take a beating then it’s the Kidzlane.

This is the perfect gift for a kid if they are a marvel comic fan. Now whenever they are roleplaying one of the many marvel movies, they will have more fun being Spiderman.

The little Pretender walkie talkies boast of various features that are guaranteed to make your kids’ outdoor activities even more fun. It has 3 channels that allow communication to up to 2 miles. They have incorporated a clear voice technology to enhance the communication process through eliminating the static that muffles the voices. It also features a torch and an LCD screen to display the frequency you are currently on. The call alert system ensures that the kids will not miss any incoming call. In case you have a full featured FRS radio, you will still be able to link to the little pretender walkie-talkie. They also come with a pre-set privacy code for each of the channels to facilitate private communications. The talkies also feature a belt clip to facilitate moving around in them. A point to note is that these talkies have about 2 seconds delay from the moment of pushing the talk button to the beginning of transmission which means you should not start talking immediately.

Best Outdoor

Great for outdoor activities

Delay period before transmitting

Very clear sound

Flashlight

LCD screen

445 Reviews Last Update on 2018-11-19 at 15:34 using Amazon Product Advertising API

If you love spending family time doing outdoor activities, then the little pretender walkie-talkies will serve you well. You can keep in touch with the kids while at the park or while out camping. These walkies are ideal for any child that is 3 years and above.

How about you make the communication more fun by adding a visual aspect to it? The spy Gear walkie talkies allow a two-way video and audio communication to a range of up to 160 feet. Immediately you turn it on you will be able to see your friend and but to initiate communication you have to press the transmit button. I should say that the picture quality is really great for a toy as long as the lighting is okay. What’s more, you don’t need an internet connection or any monthly payments. All you have to do is press the activation button and the walkie-talkies link wirelessly. You can actually use the talkie as a hidden spy camera to juice up the mission. However, to save power, the talkie goes off automatically after an unused period of 15 minutes. The sky Gear Video talkies will cost you more than the other walkie talkies but it will totally be worth it.

Best advanced

Video functionality

Relatively short battery life

Supports earphones for stealth mode

turns off automatically to save power

428 Reviews Last Update on 2018-11-19 at 15:34 using Amazon Product Advertising API

The highlight of this talkie is the video functionality and I believe that’s what makes it a trophy possession. But on top of that, you will also be able to enjoy a crystallized communication. It’s a toy I would have loved to own as a kid and am pretty sure your kids will relish it.

This is another device you will love for its numerous features. One of the major highlights of this walkie talkie is the smart system. This feature allows for automatic voice detection when you start speaking meaning that if your kid has a problem with the push to talk button they will still enjoy the sokos walkie-talkie. Then there is the auto scan function in case you have a problem tuning to the right frequency, auto squelch to ensure all communications are heard from the other side by blocking background noise, and also, an intelligent alarm system. This talkie is also a little easier on the power compared to others and can withstand about 3 ½ hours of continuous use. The user interface is pretty basic and your kids will have no problem understanding it. The walkie also features a channel lock function to prevent the kids from tampering with the frequency once it is set. You actually have 22 channels that you can communicate on with a range of up to 3 miles.

Most features

Smart system

Some features may be hard for the kids to grasp

Auto squelch function

Great battery life

Simple to use

159 Reviews Last Update on 2018-11-19 at 11:34 using Amazon Product Advertising API

This simple yet feature-rich set of talkies will be a great fit for your kids. The auto squelch function and the ability to broadcast to one or multiple devices makes it perfect for outdoor activities. And by clipping it on their belts they don’t run the risk of losing it.

Final Say

Kids like having fun. Whether for outdoor activities or indoor missions, the walkie-talkie will make for a great toy to spice up the adventure. It’s also a great way for the kids to keep up communication with their friends when not together. That is assuming their houses are within the communication range. For these reasons, it is important that you pick the best talkies. We hope this post has been helpful to you in making the right decision. Over and out.